Human Society & Its Environment
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
Technological and Applied Studies
Computing Studies Faculty courses offered are:
Individual and group tasks, performed over a range of projects, enable these courses to deliver the relevant knowledge and skills needed by students. Development of technology skills and information about career opportunities within this area are important aspects of the courses.
Castle Hill High School offers a wide range of
Creative and Performing Arts experiences within and beyond the classroom. As
part of their academic program students in Years 7 and 8 study Music and Visual
Arts. Elective courses in Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Photographic and
Digital Media and Photography are offered to students studying for their School
Certificate (Years 9 and 10) and Higher School Certificate (Years 11 and 12).
There are a wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities on offer within the Creative and Performing Arts including:
Dance
Students at Castle Hill High School have the
opportunity to study the elective Dance courses in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) and
6 (Years 11 and 12). In addition, extra-curricular opportunities such as the
annual School Musical, Showcase, Met West Dance, our school’s involvement in
the School Spectacular as well as other opportunities to perform within the
community provide valuable opportunities for students to develop their skills
and understanding of Dance through practical experience.
Stage 5
Stage 5 dance studies, Dance as an artform. Dance involves development of physical dance skills through performances, composition and appreciation. Safe dance practice is also taught throughout the course and ensures students are able to maintain safe and healthy dance skills.
Stage 6
Stage 6, involves a preliminary course in Year 11 when students learn and perform a dance taught to them. they also give a speech called "a Vice-Voce", where they explain safe dance practice and use dance terminology to explain how their dance is developed.
Year 12 involves teaching another student their choreographed dance called "core composition", as well as a major study and dance appreciation.
Both core composition and major study have viva voices and girls must perform all three dances for their HSC as well as sitting for a 1 hour exam on dance appreciation.
Drama
At Castle Hill High
School students have the opportunity to study the elective Drama courses in
Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) and 6 (Years 11 and 12) as well as to pursue and
develop their Dramatic talents and skills through the wide range of
extra-curricular opportunities available at our school.
Throughout the Stage
5 course students develop an understanding of the elements of Drama and skills
in improvisation, playbuilding, physical theatre, acting and appreciating
performance. They also learn about and utilise the elements of production,
including lighting, sound, set and costume design. Students develop knowledge
and understanding through their study of the historical development of
particular forms and styles of theatre, with a focus on Mask and Mime, Commedia
del’Arte, film-making and video-production.
Regional and State
festivals, Showcase, the Musical and various school assemblies and local
performance opportunities, such as the annual Spirit Day and visits to our local
feeder Primary Schools, ensure that students have an audience for the
performances they develop in their Drama classes. These opportunities also
provide students with a valuable insight into and practical experience of the
elements of production.
Throughout the Stage 6 course students continue
to develop and build on the skills and knowledge introduced in the Stage 5
course. However, previous knowledge and experience in Drama is not a
pre-requisite to the Stage 6 course. Although it is an advantage, many students
who have picked up Drama for the first time in Year 11 achieve exemplary results
in this HSC course.
Throughout
the Preliminary Course students engage in theoretical and practical
learning in the components of improvisation, playbuilding and acting,
elements of production in performance and theatrical traditions and performance
styles. Year 11 classes enter a play-built piece into the Regional Drama
Festival every year and have a strong tradition of being successfully nominated
for State Drama. The Preliminary course culminates with the Interhouse Drama
Festival in which students form four different production teams and with actors
from their house (from Years 7-12) produce a play for performance.
The HSC
Drama course has three parts. Students complete a theoretical study of
Australian Drama and Theatre and studies in Drama and Theatre other than
Australian through the practical exploration of themes, issues, styles and
movements of traditions of theatre, exploring relevant acting techniques,
performance styles and spaces. Students also devise a piece of original theatre
in small groups, 8-12 minutes in duration. Thirdly, students have the
opportunity to demonstrate their talents and expertise in a particular area
through the Individual Project. They choose one project from Performance, Design
(Set, Costume, Lighting), Script-writing, Director’s Folio, Theatre Promotion,
Theatre Review.
Music
At Castle Hill High School students have the
opportunity to study Music as a part of their academic program at all levels.
Our music facilities include two large Music
rooms, containing a full class complement of keyboards and guitars, a series of
small rehearsal rooms and a superior Music Technology laboratory. Students can
pursue their interest and talents on a wide variety of instruments through our
borrowing and tutelage program.
Throughout Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) students
study the Mandatory course. They gain skills in performing, composing and
listening through a variety of context areas including the concepts of Music,
Instruments, Rock Music, and Music in the Media. Throughout this course students
are introduced to the Music Technology Laboratory. They also receive basic
instruction on guitar and keyboard in Year 7 and specialise on one of these
instruments in Year 8.
Throughout Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) students study the Board of Studies Additional Music course. Through the various contexts studied, students refine their ability to listen, perform and compose. Topics covered include:
Classical
Baroque
Program music(of the Romantic Period)
Jazz
Australian Music
Other topics chosen individually by students.
Music Technology remains an important focus of
the Stage 5 Additional Course and students utilise the Music Technology
Laboratory in order to continue improving their knowledge of a variety and
increasingly sophisticated programs.
Students who study Music for their HSC choose
between the Music 1 and Music 2 courses. In both courses the students continue
to develop their understanding of musical concepts including duration, pitch,
dynamics and expressive techniques, tone colour, texture and structure whilst
experiences in performance, composition, musicology and aural provide the
context for their learning.
In Music 1 students study six topics over two years to develop their understanding of the concepts of music, For the HSC examination all students will perform at least one piece and choose three electives from performance, composition and musicology. They choose from the following topics:
In Music 2 all students study “Music 1600-1900” in Year 11 and “Music of the last 25 Years” in Year 12 as well as an additional topic, in both years, chosen by the students themselves. For the HSC examination, all students perform at least one piece and compose one original work. Students also choose an elective from performance, composition or musicology. Music Extension is also available to students studying the Music 2 course and provides an opportunity for the students to specialise in performance, composition or musicology.
Visual ArtsAt castle hill high school, the visual arts program is an exciting and strong component of the creative arts key learning areas. Students explore art making and historical and critical study by developing their own art making practice and exploring the art practice of a wide variety of artists through the conceptual framework and the frames. Our students study a wide range of media and develop a broad range of visual arts skills and techniques in a safe and happy environment which encourages life long learning.
Students learn to investigate and apply structural elements in their visual arts through the exploration of a wide variety of subject matter. The expressive forms available to students include:
Students learn how to evaluate and explain the significance of particular artists, artworks, audience responses and representations of the world in their studies.
English is compulsory for students from Years 7
– 12. In years 7 – 10 (Stages 4&5), the emphasis is on exploring and
creating a range of text types across a variety of mediums: prose fiction,
poetry, non-fiction, drama, Shakespeare, multi-media and film.
The focus is on developing effective
communication skills; therefore reading, writing, viewing, speaking, listening
and representing are integrated into all stage programs. The programs themselves
are devised to offer students a broad range of focuses that include: classical,
multicultural, popular culture and genre based studies.
Students of all ability levels are catered for;
with each year group comprised of a gifted and talented class and a number of
mixed ability classes. The nature of the English subject area allows students to
experience a range of task types that may include practical, creative or group
based activities.
For the senior years of study (Stage 6), all
Board of Studies courses are offered. Students are able to study English as a
Second Language, Standard, Advanced, Extension 1 and Extension 2. For students
who require additional support in their senior studies, the fundamentals course
is an option that is also available to them.
In addition, the teachers within the English
faculty work hard to provide students with a range of extra-curricular
activities. Students are encouraged to participate in debating and public
speaking competitions; Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year; Dorothea
Mackellar Poetry competition; Australian Schools English and Writing
competitions; Film Making. Throughout the year several theatrical
experiences and workshops are also made available to students.
Human
Society & It's Environment (HSIE)
At Castle Hill High the HSIE faculty offers a broad range of subjects. In the senior school we offer Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Legal Studies, Modern History, Ancient History and History Extension. In the junior school we offer Geography, Elective Geography, History, Elective History and Commerce.
A consequence of being able to offer such a variety of subjects is that we are able to assist students explore and understand many of the significant changes that are occurring in our world today. Advanced countries are experiencing aging populations with a greater divide between the wealthy and the poor. Developing countries experience fragile economies, widespread malnutrition and now a constant threat of infiltration by radical minority groups. History helps us understand why there is a developed and developing world. Economics and Business Studies shine a spotlight on the role of multinational corporations and their role in maintaining the status quo. Closer to home, the plight of our indigenous community is studied in such subjects as Year 9 History and Year 11 Legal Studies.
Within our subjects students can expect to enjoy a variety of experiences including excursions to the courts and Police and Justice Museum in Commerce and Legal Studies; the Nicholson Archaeological Museum in Ancient History and the Blue Mountains World Heritage site in Year 7 History and Geography. Other experiences can include a Moot Court and Mock Trial competition in Legal Studies, model making (including clothing) for Medieval History studies, the Stock Market Game in Commerce, the Muna United Nations weekend organised by Rotary, the Young Achievement Business Skills Program as well as a range of state and national competitions in many of our subjects.
The HSIE faculty caters for students of all abilities across a range of learning styles. A Gifted and Talented class is run in both History and Geography in each year from 7 to 10. Students are given a solid grounding in research skills, including ICT. Financial literacy skills are emphasised in Commerce. Overall we pride ourselves on being a faculty which places a strong emphasis on the teaching of values and Civics and Citizenship.
Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
Learning a language can be rewarding, stimulating and challenging. It can also be a lot of fun. At Castle Hill High School, students have the opportunity to study French, German and Japanese from Year 7 to Year 12.
Stage 4
In Year Seven and Eight during Stage 4, all students learn one language for 100 mandatory hours. During these courses, students are introduced to the language, people and culture of France, Germany or Japan. Focus is on greetings, introductions, numbers, school, leisure activities, food and cooking. We incorporate a wide range of teaching strategies to cater for different learning styles and make good use of interactive CD-ROMs and computer activities. Emphasis is on the four skills, reading, writing, (introduction to the script in Japanese) speaking and listening. Students all have the opportunity to enjoy French, German or Japanese food during our annual restaurant visits.
Stage 5
In Year 9, students have the opportunity to choose one or more of these languages as a 200 hour elective for the School Certificate. During theses courses, they will further develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in French, German or Japanese and increase their understanding of the culture and people of France, Germany or Japan.
Stage 6
Students may continue their language study in year 11 and 12 to HSC level in 2 Unit courses, with extension offered in Year 12.
Overseas Travel
Since 1998, Castle Hill High School has a history of offering all elective students the opportunity of an in-country experience. Because we have established a number of overseas sister-school relationships, students may take part in well-planned study tours to France, Germany or Japan where they may stay with host families, attend school and interact with native speakers. These tours have proven to be immensely popular with elective students and they all return enlightened, informed and independent, ready to continue their language study.
Exchange Visits
Every year we enjoy visits from students from our sister schools:
CIV Valbonne in France
Osaka Gakugei, Akita and Onojo in Japan
Gymnasium Farmsen and Friedrich–Ebert Gymnasium in Germany.
The ability to speak a foreign language is a valuable asset which promotes literacy and intercultural awareness. It may also broaden a student’s career prospects and enhance their understanding of the world around them.
The Maths faculty at Castle Hill High School is staffed by a group of highly qualified and experienced specialist Mathematics teachers. We pride ourselves on providing the knowledge and care needed to allow our students to achieve their best possible results. We have Gifted and Talented classes in each of the junior years (7 to 10), and integrate literacy, technology and problem solving into all lessons where applicable.
YEARS 7 and 8 (Stage 4)
All year 7 classes cover the strands: Working Mathematically, Number, Patterns & Algebra, Data, Measurement and Space & Geometry. Students apply strategies in selecting appropriate technology, communication and reasoning in all topics studied.
YEARS 9 and 10 (Stage 5)
All levels are catered for, in graded classes, to allow students to achieve outcomes at stages 5.1 (Standard), 5.2 (Intermediate) and 5.3 (Advanced). Mathematics builds on the strands started in stage four, as students prepare for the School Certificate (at the end of year 10), and aim towards senior work. Topics covered include: Rational Numbers, Consumer Arithmetic, Probability, Statistics, Graphs, Co-ordinate Geometry, Curve Sketching & Polynomials, Logarithms, Trigonometry, Circles, Surface Area & Volume.
YEARS 11 and 12 (Stage 6)
We offer all available courses in the senior school: General Mathematics, Mathematics (2 unit), Extension 1 (3 unit) and Extension 2 (4 unit) courses. Students choose their level of study depending on their Mathematical ability, and their aspirations for employment or tertiary study after the award of the Higher School Certificate.
Personal Development, Health
and Physical Education
The PD/H/PE Faculty at Castle
Hill High School has an important
role in the balanced cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual
development of students.
It provides opportunities for
students to learn about and practise ways of adopting and maintaining a healthy,
productive and active life. Just as importantly, it provides the opportunity for
young people to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health and well
being of themselves and others now and later in life.
The curriculum also assists
students to maximise their achievement in PD/H/PE through the acquisition of
knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes. These skills are
essential in the development of resilience which can lessen the impact of future
adverse life events. It can support an individual in dealing with the stresses
of today’s society.
The level of physical activity is determined often by a level of enjoyment which can be directly related to competence and social support mechanisms. In this area, we play a major role in promoting the positive acquisition of lifelong physical activity as a integrated part of their lifestyle..
Year 7 – 10 Personal Development/Health/Physical Education Syllabus
Year 9 & 10 Physical Activity and Sport Science Syllabus
Year 11& 12 2 Unit Personal Development/Health/Physical Education Syllabus
Year 11 & 12 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Syllabus
Our world is an ever changing
place. The relationship between the living and non living components of our
environment affects us all. There are many career opportunities related to
science.
At Castle Hill High School we have a team of motivated, dedicated and
experienced science teachers who are leading the way in public education. The
Science programs have been written to differentiate the curriculum and hence
cater for students’ individual needs and abilities.
The study of science develops students’ scientific knowledge, skills and
understanding so that students can develop values and attitudes within areas of
science that encompass physics, chemistry, biology and earth sciences. By
studying the past, present and future of science, students learn to appreciate
and understand themselves and the environment.
Students at Castle Hill High School are encouraged to be creative, responsible,
scientifically literate, confident and ready to take their place in society.
Students work individually and as part of a team to plan and conduct research,
investigations and experiments. They are engaged in thinking scientifically and
using techniques and technology to develop problem solving activities.
Students in Years 11 and 12 are offered courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics
and Senior Science.
Technological & Applied Studies (TAS)
Welcome to Castle Hill High School’s Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) faculty. This includes teachers with Computing, Home Economics and Industrial Arts training. There are 13 in total, as many staff as the Maths and English faculties. Details of the computing faculty are featured elsewhere on this web site.
The emphasis of TAS Curriculum delivery is for students of TAS subjects to use their personal skills and knowledge to creatively solve practical problems. CHHS students who study TAS subjects have had continued high levels of success
over many years. Most achieve their best HSC grades in their TAS subjects.
The school has been established over forty years and the TAS faculty has accumulated a wide range of tools and equipment. These are regularly updated to
ensure our students use modern technology and contemporary methods for their
creative experiences. The two wood work shops have 4 lathes each, a table saw,
thicknesser and a wide range of hand and power tools. The metal work shop has 8
lathes, welders, metal cutting saws and a scrolling station for metal
fabrication. The design studio doubles as a drawing room and has a full complement of 22 computers and a colour printer. There are three recently refurbished food technology teaching areas, one of
which is set up as a commercial kitchen, where tudents are trained to use the same
equipment a chef would. This includes special pots and pans, food processors, mixers,
blenders, woks, microwaves and fridges.
Because we have great facilities and equipment and experienced, expert staff we can offer a broad range of TAS subjects. As well as the mandatory technology experiences in Years 7 and 8, we offer elective Technology courses in Food, Graphics, Wood, Metal and Design to years 9 and 10. In the senior school our curriculum includes Food Technology, Design and Technology, both Wood and Metal Industrial Technology and Community and Family Studies. We are also heavily involved with VET programmes in Hospitality and Construction.